MOMMS members support their sons, daughters in military

Moms of Michigan Military and Supporters will take some of the cards of encouragement and thanks donated at Clinton Township’s next blood drive and get them to deployed troops.

The Clinton Township Blood Drive is March 12-13 at various locations and times. It is the largest blood drive in Southeast Michigan. Those who donate will sign and write a personal message on an “Honor Card” that will go to someone on active duty or who is hospitalized.

Blood drives will take place March 12 from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Clinton Township Senior Center; from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. at Clintondale High School; from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Clinton Township Police Station. On March 13 they will be from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the L’Anse Creuse Schools Wheeler Building; from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Baker College Little Mack Campus; and from 1 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at Chippewa Valley High School.

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To schedule an appointment, call 586-286-1768 or ctbd@clintontownship-mi.gov.

MOMMS is a support group for those with sons and daughters serving in the U.S. armed forces.

“All of our efforts focus on the support of each other and our children in the military,” Cheryl Corsi said. “We are there for one another in our joys and our sorrows, with a level of understanding that can only be found among other moms whose children are serving or have served in the military.”

MOMMS members organize packaging parties for care packages to the troops and host guest speakers on the needs of military children and their families. Sometimes they have work sessions for making things like helmet liners, cooling neck wraps and pillowcases to include in care packages.

Service members send their thanks.

Marine 2nd Lt. Sarah Brewster of Troy, who is in Afghanistan, said in a thank-you note, “I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful package I received from your organization this week. It truly means a lot to us out here to get Christmas cards and homemade cookies from the states. The calling card really helps as well.”

MOMMS members participate in community parades and patriotic functions and have their own fundraisers. AMVETS and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts like those in Richmond and Romeo have hosted MOMMS meetings and functions. Members participated in the Adopt-a-Road cleanup to honor their children’s service. Contact MOMMS’ Cheryl Corsi at 586-405-3095 or at chair@operation-love.com.

Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund

The nonprofit Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund has its eighth annual dinner and auction at 5:30 p.m. March 9 in the ballroom of Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. This year’s dinner is being done in coordination with Michigan Family United and Operation Care Package Michigan.

Keynote speaker is Don Mann, a former member of SEAL Team Six that helped train the team that conducted the raid on Osama Bin Laden. Master of ceremonies for the fundraiser is TV meteorologist Chuck Gaidica. Tickets are $110 each or a table for $1,100. See FWSF.org or contact Ann Cornelius at 248-346-5976 or ann4fwsf@aol.com.

Online social network for veterans

The local unit of the Veterans of Modern Warfare has gone inactive, but an organization called Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with about 200,000 member veterans and supporters advocates for our youngest vets. IAVA’s mantra is to “build the New Greatest Generation,” focusing on health, employment, education and community resources using online resources as much as possible. It advocates for veterans rights to legislators alongside the congressionally chartered veterans service organizations. It derives its funding from donations, foundation grants, special events and earned revenue like IAVA logo gear.

Its latest concern is that 22 veterans die by suicide every day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, a 20 percent increase since a VA report on suicides five years ago.

“This VA suicide report is the most important piece of data to be released since 2007,” IAVA founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff said. “Our leaders in Washington need to accelerate efforts to shrink wait times for mental health care and find more creative solutions like the Veteran Crisis Line.”

The National Veterans/Military Crisis Line for veterans of all eras is 1-800-273-8255, press 1. It connects callers to local health care and support services. Text a crisis counselor at 838255, or start an anonymous online chat to get help.

“We at IAVA understand the spectrum of challenges facing veterans transitioning home, including the struggle with invisible wounds,” Rieckhoff said.

The Army alone recently reported 325 suicides among active and reserve troops in 2012, a 15 percent increase over 2011.

Through an effort with the Ad Council, IAVA created Community of Veterans, an online social network for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to connect over their shared experiences. Since its launch, the service has connected 24,000 veterans with peer-to-peer mental health support. Vets can reach IAVA through its website IAVA.org.

Apps help vets coping with PTSD

The online Health.mil reported on a mobile application that uses smartphone technology to help service members cope during times of high stress and crisis. The Virtual Hope Box app was developed by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2.) The app is pre-loaded with the user’s family photos, supportive messages from loved ones, and music. The app includes relaxation and distraction modules with a deep-breathing tool, progressive muscle relaxation activities, puzzles and games.

To manage various illnesses from an Apple or Droid-based mobile device, T2 released mobile applications to help post-traumatic stress disorder sufferers manage their health. The LifeArmor app has tools to measure and track symptoms related to post-traumatic stress.

The PTSD Coach app provides users with a tool to track and manage symptoms. T2’s PE Coach mobile app helps encourage patient recall and therapy session attendance. The Tactical Breather app encourages repetitive practice, concentration and other psychological responses to help the body cope in stressful moments. The T2 Mood Tracker allows users to keep track of emotional experiences and feelings over time. The results from the tracking may be shared with a therapist to better assess a person’s emotional state.

T2 is part of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit has a team of providers who specialize in the assessment and treatment of PTSD. The mission of the PTSD Clinical Team is to provide comprehensive, individualized and state-of-the art treatment for veterans who have been impacted by traumatic events that occurred during military service. Call 313-576-1000, ext. 65770.

Local information on veterans issues may be found at the Macomb County Vet Center, 42621 Garfield Road, Suite 105 in Clinton Township, 586-412-0107 or 877-927-8387.

The VFW Bruce Post 1146 fish fry series is: Feb. 22, March 1, March 8, March 22 and March 29 at 28404 E. Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores. Meals and carryouts are available from 5 to 8 p.m. Dinners range from $5 to $9.95, and there is a children’s menu.

Enjoy a country legends concert at 7 p.m. today at the post. Tickets are $15. Call 586-713-1519.